Meet the Team
Heather L. Gomes
Executive Director
heather@peopleanimalslove.org
As PAL’s Executive Director, Heather is committed to expanding access to the joys and therapeutic benefits of human-animal interactions while honoring the mutuality of the human-animal bond and nurturing a culture of kindness and respect. Heather grew up surrounded by animal companions of many species and is grateful to her mother for instilling in her a reverence for nature and animals and an understanding of our interconnectedness. A lifelong advocate for people and animals, Heather has volunteered with a therapeutic horseback riding program, fostered dogs, and practiced law. She earned a graduate certificate in Animals and Human Health, B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Women’s Studies, and J.D. A native Washingtonian, Heather currently lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband and her dog, Winter. In her free time, she likes to connect with friends and family, read, travel, watch soccer, and make music playlists.
Kerri Schepers
Training & Evaluations Committee Chair - volunteer
Kerri Schepers and her rescue dog Crusty started volunteering as a PAL therapy team in 2015, after Kerri had observed Crusty enthusiastically sharing his spunky and therapeutic spirit with everyone he met. Since then, they have touched the lives of countless community members -- spreading joy and delight, providing comfort and support, and eliciting smiles and laughter. Kerri is a critical member of the PAL Team, helping to design, improve, and implement protocols for screening, training, evaluating, coaching, and onboarding dog-handler teams. She also serves as a Group Leader for PAL’s weekly visits at Melwood, helps facilitate monthly Zoom sessions for prospective handlers, and assists with strategic organizational planning and community outreach. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all in-person visits, Kerri trained PAL volunteers how to visit on screen and visited on screen herself with her newly adopted dog Ricky. In her free time, Kerri enjoys cooking, curling up with a good book, traveling, and helping furry pals at Humane Rescue Alliance by supporting adoption events.
Kelly Grudziecki
Operations Manager
kelly@peopleanimalslove.org
As PAL’s Operations Manager, Kelly Grudziecki is thrilled to be part of the PAL team and grateful to have found a role where she can combine her skills with her passion and love for animals. Before coming to PAL, Kelly was the senior managing editor for a direct response marketing agency serving nonprofit organizations, where she oversaw all digital fundraising campaigns for the Alzheimer’s Association. Before that, she spent 16 years with the Maryland Building Industry Association as director of internal communications, where she also helped plan and execute successful award and educational programs and networking events. Kelly is a native Marylander, having grown up on the Eastern Shore with feathered and furry animals of all kinds. She earned a B.A. in communications from the University of Maryland, College Park where she played clarinet in the marching band. She lives in Olney, Maryland, with her husband Steve, and two spoiled dogs, Wylie and Quincy. In her free time, she loves cooking, painting, traveling, and volunteering with dog rescue groups.
